Childbirth

When you are ready to have your baby, you'll go through labor. Contractions let you know labor is starting. When contractions are five minutes apart, your body is ready to push the baby out. During the first stage of labor, your cervix slowly opens, or dilates, to about 4 inches wide. At the same time, it becomes thinner. This is called effacement. You shouldn't push until your uterus is fully effaced and dilated. When it is, the baby delivery stage starts. Crowning is when your baby's scalp comes into view. Shortly afterward, your baby is born. The placenta that nourished the baby follows.

Overview

Feature Articles

Latest Childbirth News and Research

Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase cardiovascular risk, even in unaffected sisters

Adverse pregnancy outcomes increase cardiovascular risk, even in unaffected sisters

Surge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo leads to healthcare crisis

Surge in violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo leads to healthcare crisis

Urgent action needed to end female genital mutilation

Urgent action needed to end female genital mutilation

Cervical cancer during pregnancy linked to higher maternal health risks

Cervical cancer during pregnancy linked to higher maternal health risks

Dartmouth study links missing birth support to higher stress levels

Dartmouth study links missing birth support to higher stress levels

Study finds increased risk of cardiovascular disease for mothers of twins

Study finds increased risk of cardiovascular disease for mothers of twins

AI-based model detects unseen risk combinations in pregnancies

AI-based model detects unseen risk combinations in pregnancies

New research aims to improve understanding of episiotomy mechanics

New research aims to improve understanding of episiotomy mechanics

Adequate nurse staffing linked to lower C-section rates

Adequate nurse staffing linked to lower C-section rates

Multiple sclerosis linked to increased risk of perinatal mental illness

Multiple sclerosis linked to increased risk of perinatal mental illness

$12.5 million study aims to improve postpartum blood pressure management

$12.5 million study aims to improve postpartum blood pressure management

Genetic insights into reproductive health and longevity

Genetic insights into reproductive health and longevity

New hepatitis B vaccine offers superior protection for people with HIV

New hepatitis B vaccine offers superior protection for people with HIV

Herpes infections affect 846 million people worldwide

Herpes infections affect 846 million people worldwide

Study reveals brain structure differences in women with peripartum depression

Study reveals brain structure differences in women with peripartum depression

Women with infertility have higher risk of developing systemic autoimmune diseases

Women with infertility have higher risk of developing systemic autoimmune diseases

Study reveals physical and mental effects of unintended pregnancies on mothers

Study reveals physical and mental effects of unintended pregnancies on mothers

New oral painkiller developed for chronic abdominal pain

New oral painkiller developed for chronic abdominal pain

AI-based ultrasound software guides childbirth decisions with high accuracy

AI-based ultrasound software guides childbirth decisions with high accuracy

Heat exposure significantly heightens risks for maternal and newborn health

Heat exposure significantly heightens risks for maternal and newborn health

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